Is Lake Oswego or Portland Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Lake Oswego is safer than Portland (Safety Score 68/100 vs 1/100), with a total crime rate of 1,166 per 100,000 versus 6,247 for Portland — 81% lower. Lake Oswego has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Lake Oswego has a 96% lower rate.
Note: Portland is 15.7x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Quiz: which of these is SAFER than Lake Oswego, OR?
Lake Oswego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Portland — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Lake Oswego, OR
Portland, OR
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Lake Oswego | Portland | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,165.9 | 6,246.7 | -5,080.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 65.6 | 720.5 | -654.9 |
| Murder Rate | 2.5 | 10.8 | -8.2 |
| Rape Rate | 27.8 | 50.9 | -23.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 7.6 | 177.4 | -169.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 27.8 | 481.2 | -453.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,100.3 | 5,526.2 | -4,426.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 201.9 | 727.4 | -525.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 789.9 | 3,921.3 | -3,131.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 108.5 | 877.6 | -769.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lake Oswego or Portland safer?
Lake Oswego is safer with a total crime rate of 1,166 per 100K vs 6,247 for Portland — a 81% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Lake Oswego has a violent crime rate of 65.6 per 100K while Portland has 720.5. Lake Oswego has lower violent crime.
About Lake Oswego, OR
Lake Oswego, a wealthy Portland suburb, was once a hub for Oregon's iron industry. Nestled around its namesake lake, the city boasts a median household income significantly higher than the state average. With a safety score of 68/100 and a population coverage of 39,627, Lake Oswego has a total crime rate of 1,165.9 per 100,000 residents.